by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Jan 31, 2023 | Evangelium
Wednesday 01 febRuary
Felipe de Jesús Munárriz Azcona and 50 companions; martyrs; members of the Congregation of Claretian Missionaries
The first decades of the twentieth century found Spain mired in political upheaval and social unrest. Violent religious persecutions unfolded following the establishment of the Republic in 1931. During the Spanish Civil War (1936–39) there was a massive elimination of priests, nuns, and Catholic lay leaders throughout Spain. Fifty-one of those killed were Claretians, mostly young seminarians who had recently arrived at the Claretian house in Barbastro to complete the last year of their theological studies.
Entrance Antiphon: Ps 105: 47
Save us, O Lord our God! And gather us from the nations, to give thanks to your holy name, and make it our glory to praise you.
Collect
Grant us, Lord our God, that we may honour you with all our mind, and love everyone in truth of heart. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Hebrews 12: 4-7, 11-15
In the fight against sin, you have not yet had to keep fighting to the point of death. Have you forgotten that encouraging text in which you are addressed as sons? My son, when the Lord corrects you, do not treat it lightly; but do not get discouraged when he reprimands you. For the Lord trains the ones that he loves and he punishes all those that he acknowledges as his sons. Suffering is part of your training; God is treating you as his sons. Has there ever been any son whose father did not train him? Of course, any punishment is most painful at the time, and far from pleasant; but later, in those on whom it has been used, it bears fruit in peace and goodness. So hold up your limp arms and steady your trembling knees and smooth out the path you tread; then the injured limb will not be wrenched, it will grow strong again. Always be wanting peace with all people, and the holiness without which no one can ever see the Lord. Be careful that no one is deprived of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness should begin to grow and make trouble; this can poison a whole community.
Psalm 102(103):1-2,13-14,17-18
R/ The love of the Lord is everlasting upon those who hold him in fear.
My soul, give thanks to the Lord all my being, bless his holy name. My soul, give thanks to the Lord and never forget all his blessings.
As a father has compassion on his sons, the Lord has pity on those who fear him; for he knows of what we are made, he remembers that we are dust.
But the love of the Lord is everlasting upon those who hold him in fear; his justice reaches out to children’s children when they keep his covenant in truth.
Gospel Acclamation: Mt 4:4
Alleluia, alleluia! Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Alleluia!
Gospel: Mark 6: 1-6
Jesus went to his home town and his disciples accompanied him. With the coming of the sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue and most of them were astonished when they heard him. They said, “Where did the man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been granted him, and these miracles that are worked through him? This is the carpenter, surely, the son of Mary, the brother of James and Joset and Jude and Simon? His sisters, too, are they not here with us?” And they would not accept him. And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is only despised in his own country, among his own relations and in his own house”; and he could work no miracle there, though he cured a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.
Prayer over the Offerings
O Lord, we bring to your altar these offerings of our service: be pleased to receive them, we pray, and transform them into the Sacrament of our redemption. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Ps 30: 17-18
Let your face shine on your servant. Save me in your merciful love. O Lord, let me never be put to shame, for I call on you.
Prayer after Communion
Nourished by these redeeming gifts, we pray, O Lord, that through this help to eternal salvation true faith may ever increase. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Jesus surprised his familiar audience with a seeming rebuke that no prophet or servant of God can receive honour among his people. The people of Nazareth took offence and refused to listen to Jesus. They despised his preaching, a mere workman, a carpenter, and a layman who had no formal training from a scholar or teacher. They also despised him because of his undistinguished family background. Indeed, God can sometimes be exacting and demanding on us when God allows us to go through pain and uncertainty. We have not suffered till the point of dying for our sins (Hebrews 12:4); so, stand up to battle with the enemy using the weapons of light, prayer, faith in God, zeal to announce the Gospel and a deep and intimate love for Jesus.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Jan 30, 2023 | Evangelium
TUESDAY 31 January
SAINT JOHN BOSCO, Priest
John Bosco (1815-1888) was born in Piedmont of a peasant family, and he was brought up by his widowed mother. He became a priest, and his particular concern was for the young.
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 131: 9
Your priests, O Lord, shall be clothed with justice; your holy ones shall ring out their joy.
Collect
O God, who raised up the Priest Saint John Bosco as a father and teacher of the young, grant, we pray, that, aflame with the same fire of love, we may seek out souls and serve you alone. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Hebrews 12: 1-4
With so many witnesses in a great cloud on every side of us, we too, then, should throw off everything that hinders us, especially the sin that clings so easily, and keep running steadily in the race we have started. Let us not lose sight of Jesus, who leads us in our faith and brings it to perfection: for the sake of the joy which was still in the future, he endured the cross, disregarding the shamefulness of it, and from now on has taken his place at the right of God’s throne. Think of the way he stood such opposition from sinners and then you will not give up for want of courage. In the fight against sin, you have not yet had to keep fighting to the point of death.
Psalm 21(22): 26-28, 30-32
R/ They shall praise you, Lord, those who seek you.
My vows I will pay before those who fear him. The poor shall eat and shall have their fill. They shall praise the Lord, those who seek him. May their hearts live for ever and ever!
All the earth shall remember and return to the Lord, all families of the nations worship before him; They shall worship him, all the mighty of the earth; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust.
And my soul shall live for him, my children serve him. They shall tell of the Lord to generations yet to come, declare his faithfulness to peoples yet unborn: ‘These things the Lord has done.’
Gospel Acclamation: Jn14: 6
Alleluia, alleluia! I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, says the Lord; No one can come to the Father except through me. Alleluia!
Gospel: Mark 5: 21-43
When Jesus had crossed in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered round him and he stayed by the lakeside. Then one of the synagogue officials came up, Jairus by name, and seeing him, fell at his feet and pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is desperately sick. Do come and lay your hands on her to make her better and save her life.” Jesus went with him and a large crowd followed him; they were pressing all round him. Now there was a woman who had suffered from a haemorrhage for twelve years; after long and painful treatment under various doctors, she spent all she had without being any the better for it, in fact, she was getting worse. She had heard about Jesus, and she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his cloak. “If I can touch even his clothes,” she had told herself “I shall be well again.” And the source of the bleeding dried up instantly, and she felt in herself that she was cured of her complaint. Immediately aware that power had gone out from him, Jesus turned round in the crowd and said, “Who touched my clothes?” His disciples said to him, “You see how the crowd is pressing round you and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’ But he continued to look all round to see who had done it. Then the woman came forward, frightened and trembling because she knew what had happened to her, and she fell at his feet and told him the whole truth. “My daughter,” he said, “your faith has restored you to health; go in peace and be free from your complaint.” While he was still speaking some people arrived from the house of the synagogue official to say, “Your daughter is dead: why put the Master to any further trouble?” But Jesus had overheard this remark of theirs and he said to the official, “Do not be afraid; only have faith.” And he allowed no one to go with him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. So they came to the official’s house and Jesus noticed all the commotion, with people weeping and wailing unrestrainedly. He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and crying? The child is not dead, but asleep.” But they laughed at him. So he turned them all out and, taking with him the child’s father and mother and his own companions, he went into the place where the child lay. And taking the child by the hand he said to her, “Talitha, kum!” which means, “Little girl, I tell you to get up.” The little girl got up at once and began to walk about, for she was twelve years old. At this they were overcome with astonishment, and he ordered them strictly not to let anyone know about it, and told them to give her something to eat.
Prayer over the Offerings
Receive, O Lord, we pray, the offerings placed on your altar in commemoration of blessed N., so that, as you brought him glory, you may, through these sacred mysteries, grant to us your pardon. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Mt 24: 46-47
Blessed is the servant whom the Lord finds watching when he comes. Amen I say to you: He will put that servant in charge of all his property.
Prayer after Communion
May partaking at the heavenly table, almighty God, confirm and increase strength from on high in all who celebrate the feast day of blessed N., that we may preserve in integrity the gift of faith and walk in the path of salvation you trace for us. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The Gospel message of today is to have faith – a firm assurance in God’s sovereignty. On the one hand, the healing of the woman whose blood loss lasted twelve years is a lesson in faith when we are in uncontrollable circumstances. Faith in Jesus provides the healing that not even modern science and medicine can offer. On the other hand, Jesus, in restoring the life of the daughter of the ruler of the Synagogue, reassures us that he can restore us to life. He tells us: “Do not be afraid; only have faith”. We are therefore offered a double opportunity: That of approaching the Lord present in the Blessed Sacrament and feeling the change he makes in our deepest being; and that of allowing ourselves to be revived by Christ who wants to lift us out of our little daily deaths as he tells us: “Get up!”
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Jan 30, 2023 | Agenda Biblique
MARDI 31 JANVIER
SAINT Jean Bosco,
Prêtre
Dès son enfance, Jean Bosco (1815-1888) est attiré par le sacerdoce. Il se consacre à l’apostolat de la jeunesse populaire avec un sens pédagogique remarquable, une sérénité communicative nuancée d’humour et un dévouement sans limite. Dieu le soutient en multipliant les miracles en sa faveur.
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 95, 1-6
« Laissez les enfants venir à moi, dit le Seigneur. Ne les empêchez pas, car le Royaume de Dieu est à ceux qui leur ressemblent. »
Prière d’ouverture
Dieu qui as suscité saint Jean Bosco pour donner à la jeunesse un maître et un père, inspire-nous le même amour qui nous fera chercher le salut de nos frères en ne servant que toi seul. Par Jésus.
1ère lecture : He 12, 1-4
Frères, nous aussi, entourés de cette immense nuée de témoins, et débarrassés de tout ce qui nous alourdit – en particulier du péché qui nous entrave si bien –, courons avec endurance l’épreuve qui nous est proposée, les yeux fixés sur Jésus, qui est à l’origine et au terme de la foi. Renonçant à la joie qui lui était proposée, il a enduré la croix en méprisant la honte de ce supplice, et il siège à la droite du trône de Dieu. Méditez l’exemple de celui qui a enduré de la part des pécheurs une telle hostilité, et vous ne serez pas accablés par le découragement. Vous n’avez pas encore résisté jusqu’au sang dans votre lutte contre le péché.
Psaume : 21 (22), 26b- 27, 28.30, 31-32
R/ Ils loueront le Seigneur, ceux qui le cherchent.
Devant ceux qui te craignent, je tiendrai mes promesses. Les pauvres mangeront : ils seront rassasiés ; ils loueront le Seigneur, ceux qui le cherchent : « À vous, toujours, la vie et la joie ! »
La terre entière se souviendra et reviendra vers le Seigneur, chaque famille de nations se prosternera devant lui. Tous ceux qui festoyaient s’inclinent ; promis à la mort, ils plient en sa présence.
Et moi, je vis pour lui : ma descendance le servira ; on annoncera le Seigneur aux générations à venir. On proclamera sa justice au peuple qui va naître : Voilà son œuvre !
Acclamation
Alléluia, alléluia! Le Christ a pris nos souffrances, il a porté nos maladies Alléluia. (Mt 8, 17)
Évangile : Mc 5, 21-43
En ce temps-là, Jésus regagna en barque l’autre rive, et une grande foule s’assembla autour de lui. Il était au bord de la mer. Arrive un des chefs de synagogue, nommé Jaïre. Voyant Jésus, il tombe à ses pieds et le supplie instamment : « Ma fille, encore si jeune, est à la dernière extrémité. Viens lui imposer les mains pour qu’elle soit sauvée et qu’elle vive. » Jésus partit avec lui, et la foule qui le suivait était si nombreuse qu’elle l’écrasait. Or, une femme, qui avait des pertes de sang depuis douze ans… – elle avait beaucoup souffert du traitement de nombreux médecins, et elle avait dépensé tous ses biens sans avoir la moindre amélioration ; au contraire, son état avait plutôt empiré –… cette femme donc, ayant appris ce qu’on disait de Jésus, vint par derrière dans la foule et toucha son vêtement. Elle se disait en effet: «Si je parviens à toucher seulement son vêtement, je serai sauvée. » À l’instant, l’hémorragie s’arrêta, et elle ressentit dans son corps qu’elle était guérie de son mal. Aussitôt Jésus se rendit compte qu’une force était sortie de lui. Il se retourna dans la foule, et il demandait: «Qui a touché mes vêtements?» Ses disciples lui répondirent : « Tu vois bien la foule qui t’écrase, et tu demandes : “Qui m’a touché ? » Mais lui regardait tout autour pour voir celle qui avait fait cela. La femme, saisie de crainte et toute tremblante, sachant ce qui lui était arrivé, vint se jeter à ses pieds et lui dit toute la vérité. Jésus lui dit alors: « Ma fille, ta foi t’a sauvée. Va en paix et sois guérie de ton mal.» Comme il parlait encore, des gens arrivent de la maison de Jaïre, le chef de synagogue, pour dire à celui-ci: «Ta fille vient de mourir. À quoi bon déranger encore le Maître? » Jésus, surprenant ces mots, dit au chef de synagogue: « Ne crains pas, crois seulement.» Il ne laissa personne l’accompagner, sauf Pierre, Jacques, et Jean, le frère de Jacques. Ils arrivent à la maison du chef de synagogue. Jésus voit l’agitation, et des gens qui pleurent et poussent de grands cris. Il entre et leur dit: «Pourquoi cette agitation et ces pleurs? L’enfant n’est pas morte: elle dort. » Mais on se moquait de lui. Alors il met tout le monde dehors, prend avec lui le père et la mère de l’enfant, et ceux qui étaient avec lui; puis il pénètre là où reposait l’enfant. Il saisit la main de l’enfant, et lui dit : «Talitha koum », ce qui signifie : « Jeune fille, je te le dis, lève-toi ! » Aussitôt la jeune fille se leva et se mit à marcher – elle avait en effet douze ans. Ils furent frappés d’une grande stupeur. Et Jésus leur ordonna fermement de ne le faire savoir à personne ; puis il leur dit de la faire manger.
Prière sur les offrandes
Accepte, Seigneur, le sacrifice que ton peuple consacré t’offre aujourd’hui en l’honneur de saint Jean Bosco ; que notre participation à ce mystère fasse de nous les témoins de ta charité. Par Jésus.
Antienne de la communion
« Si vous ne changez pas pour devenir comme les petits enfants, dit le Seigneur, vous n’entrerez pas dans le Royaume des cieux. »
Prière après la communion
Dieu tout-puissant, fais que nous trouvions un soutien dans ce repas sacré, pour qu’à l’exemple de saint Jean Bosco, notre cœur et toute notre vie témoignent de notre charité fraternelle et du rayonnement de la vérité. Par Jésus.
Méditation
Le message de l’Évangile de ce jour c’est d’avoir une foi et une assurance ferme en la souveraineté de Dieu. D’une part, la guérison de cette femme dont la perte de sang a duré douze ans est une leçon de foi lorsque nous sommes dans des circonstances incontrôlables. La foi en Jésus procure la guérison que même la science et la médecine moderne ne peuvent nous offrir. D’autre part, Jésus en redonnant la vie à la fille du chef de la Synagogue nous rassure qu’il peut nous restorer. Il nous dit : « ne crains pas, crois seulement ». Une double opportunité nous est donc offerte. Celle de nous approcher du Seigneur présent dans le Saint Sacrement et ressentir le changement qu’il fait au plus profond de nous ; et celle de nous laisser raviver par le Christ qui veut nous sortir de nos petites morts de chaque jour en nous disant : « leves-toi ! ».
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Jan 29, 2023 | Evangelium
MONDAY 30 January
SAINT AEDAN OF FERNS
Born in 558, he was the son of an Irish tribal chieftain and studied under St Finian and St David. He was the first bishop of Ferns, in Ireland, and founded many churches and monasteries. He died in 632.
Entrance Antiphon: Ps 105: 47
Save us, O Lord our God! And gather us from the nations, to give thanks to your holy name, and make it our glory to praise you.
Collect
Grant us, Lord our God, that we may honour you with all our mind, and love everyone in truth of heart. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Hebrews 11: 32-40
Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets – these were men who through faith conquered kingdoms, did what is right and earned the promises. They could keep a lion’s mouth shut, put out blazing fires and emerge unscathed from battle. They were weak people who were given strength, to be brave in war and drive back foreign invaders. Some came back to their wives from the dead, by resurrection; and others submitted to torture, refusing release so that they would rise again to a better life. Some had to bear being pilloried and flogged, or even chained up in prison. They were stoned, or sawn in half, or beheaded; they were homeless, and dressed in the skins of sheep and goats; they were penniless and were given nothing but ill-treatment. They were too good for the world and they went out to live in deserts and mountains and in caves and ravines. These are all heroes of faith, but they did not receive what was promised, since God had made provision for us to have something better, and they were not to reach perfection except with us.
Psalm 30(31): 20-24
R/ Let your heart take courage, all who hope in the Lord.
How great is the goodness, Lord, that you keep for those who fear you, that you show to those who trust you in the sight of men.
You hide them in the shelter of your presence from the plotting of men; you keep them safe within your tent from disputing tongues.
Blessed be the Lord who has shown me the wonders of his love in a fortified city.
‘I am far removed from your sight’ I said in my alarm. Yet you heard the voice of my plea when I cried for help.
Love the Lord, all you saints. He guards his faithful but the Lord will repay to the full those who act with pride.
Gospel Acclamation: Jn 17: 17
Alleluia, alleluia! Your word is truth, O Lord: consecrate us in the truth. Alleluia!
Gospel: Mark 5: 1-20
Jesus and his disciples reached the country of the Gerasene on the other side of the lake, and no sooner had Jesus left the boat than a man with an unclean spirit came out from the tombs towards him. The man lived in the tombs and no one could secure him anymore, even with a chain; because he had often been secured with fetters and chains but had snapped the chains and broken the fetters, and no one had the strength to control him. All night and all day, among the tombs and in the mountains, he would howl and gash himself with stones. Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and fell at his feet and shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, son of the Most High God? Swear by God you will not torture me!” – For Jesus had been saying to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit.” “What is your name?” Jesus asked. “My name is legion,” he answered, “for there are many of us.” And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the district. Now there was there on the mountainside a great herd of pigs feeding, and the unclean spirits begged him, “Send us to the pigs, let us go into them.” So he gave them leave. With that, the unclean spirits came out and went into the pigs, and the herd of about two thousand pigs charged down the cliff into the lake, and there they were drowned. The swineherds ran off and told their story in the town and in the country round about; and the people came to see what had really happened. They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his full senses – the very man who had had the legion in him before – and they were afraid. And those who had witnessed it reported what had happened to the demoniac and what had become of the pigs. Then they began to implore Jesus to leave the neighbourhood. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed begged to be allowed to stay with him. Jesus would not let him but said to him, “Go home to your people and tell them all that the Lord in his mercy has done for you.” So the man went off and proceeded to spread throughout the Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him. And everyone was amazed.
Prayer over the Offerings
O Lord, we bring to your altar these offerings of our service: be pleased to receive them, we pray, and transform them into the Sacrament of our redemption. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Ps 30: 17-18
Let your face shine on your servant. Save me in your merciful love. O Lord, let me never be put to shame, for I call on you.
Prayer after Communion
Nourished by these redeeming gifts, we pray, O Lord, that through this help to eternal salvation true faith may ever increase. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The encounter of the possessed man with Jesus may seem frightening; but for us Christians, it is an affirmation of our Lord’s authority over the powers of evil. Although they were a legion of demons holding the man captive, they recognised the power of the Son of God. With this power and authority, the man is set free, and a profound change is visible in his life, for he goes forth to proclaim the Lord’s benefits to him. This whole scene illustrates the fullness of life to which we are called as children of God; a life without unclean spirits and free from captivity, a life that proclaims the wonders of the Lord.
by Jude Thaddeus Langeh | Jan 29, 2023 | Agenda Biblique
LUNDI 30 JANVIER
Sainte Martine
Vierge martyre à Rome. Fille de nobles romains son père fut plusieurs fois consul. À la mort de ce dernier, elle vendit tous ses biens et consacra cette fortune à des œuvres de charité. Elle vécut sous le règne de l’empereur Alexandre devant qui elle refusa de renier sa foi et fut ainsi décapitée à Rome. Ses reliques furent découvertes en 1634.
Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 105, 47
Sauve-nous, Seigneur notre Dieu; rassemble tes enfants dispersés. Nous rendrons grâce à ton saint nom, nous te bénirons dans la joie.
Prière d’ouverture
Accorde-nous, Seigneur, de pouvoir t’adorer sans partage, et d’avoir pour tout homme une vraie charité. Par Jésus.
1ère lecture : Hébreux 11, 32-40
Frères, sur la puissance de la foi, que dire encore ? Le temps me manquerait pour rappeler l’histoire de Gédéon, Baraq, Samson, Jephté, David, Samuel et les prophètes. Par leur foi, ils ont conquis des royaumes, pratiqué la justice, obtenu la réalisation de certaines promesses. Ils ont fermé la gueule des lions, éteint la flamme des brasiers, échappé au tranchant de l’épée, retrouvé leurs forces après la maladie, montré du courage à la guerre, mis en fuite des armées étrangères. Des femmes dont les enfants étaient morts les ont retrouvés ressuscités. Mais certains autres ont été torturés et n’ont pas accepté la libération qui leur était proposée, car ils voulaient obtenir une meilleure résurrection. D’autres ont subi l’épreuve des moqueries et des coups de fouet, des chaînes et de la prison. Ils furent lapidés, sciés en deux, massacrés à coups d’épée. Ils allèrent çà et là, vêtus de peaux de moutons ou de toisons de chèvres, manquant de tout, harcelés et maltraités – mais en fait, c’est le monde qui n’était pas digne d’eux ! Ils menaient une vie errante dans les déserts et les montagnes, dans les grottes et les cavernes de la terre. Et, bien que, par leur foi, ils aient tous reçu le témoignage de Dieu, ils n’ont pas obtenu la réalisation de la promesse. En effet, pour nous Dieu avait prévu mieux encore, et il ne voulait pas les mener sans nous à la perfection.
Psaume : 30 (31), 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
R/ Soyez forts, prenez courage, vous tous qui espérez le Seigneur !
Qu’ils sont grands, tes bienfaits ! Tu les réserves à ceux qui te craignent. Tu combles, à la face du monde, ceux qui ont en toi leur refuge.
Tu les caches au plus secret de ta face, loin des intrigues des hommes. Tu leur réserves un lieu sûr, loin des langues méchantes. Béni soit le Seigneur : son amour a fait pour moi des merveilles !
Et moi, dans mon trouble, je disais : « Je ne suis plus devant tes yeux. »Pourtant, tu écoutais ma prière quand je criais vers toi.
Aimez le Seigneur, vous, ses fidèles: le Seigneur veille sur les siens ; mais il rétribue avec rigueur, qui se montre arrogant.
Acclamation
Alléluia, alléluia ! Un grand prophète s’est levé parmi nous, et Dieu a visité son peuple. Alléluia. (Lc 7, 16)
Évangile : Marc 5, 1-20
En ce temps-là, Jésus et ses disciples arrivèrent sur l’autre rive, de l’autre côté de la mer de Galilée, dans le pays des Géraséniens. Comme Jésus sortait de la barque, aussitôt un homme possédé d’un esprit impur s’avança depuis les tombes à sa rencontre ; il habitait dans les tombeaux et personne ne pouvait plus l’attacher, même avec une chaîne; en effet on l’avait souvent attaché avec des fers aux pieds et des chaînes, mais il avait rompu les chaînes, brisé les fers, et personne ne pouvait le maîtriser. Sans arrêt, nuit et jour, il était parmi les tombeaux et sur les collines, à crier, et à se blesser avec des pierres. Voyant Jésus de loin, il accourut, se prosterna devant lui et cria d’une voix forte : « Que me veux-tu, Jésus, Fils du Dieu Très-Haut ? Je t’adjure par Dieu, ne me tourmente pas ! » Jésus lui disait en effet : « Esprit impur, sors de cet homme ! » Et il lui demandait : « Quel est ton nom ? » L’homme lui dit: « Mon nom est Légion, car nous sommes beaucoup. » Et ils suppliaient Jésus avec insistance de ne pas les chasser en dehors du pays. Or, il y avait là, du côté de la colline, un grand troupeau de porcs qui cherchait sa nourriture. Alors, les esprits impurs supplièrent Jésus: « Envoie-nous vers ces porcs, et nous entrerons en eux. » Il le leur permit. Ils sortirent alors de l’homme et entrèrent dans les porcs. Du haut de la falaise, le troupeau se précipita dans la mer : il y avait environ deux mille porcs, et ils se noyaient dans la mer. Ceux qui les gardaient prirent la fuite, ils annoncèrent la nouvelle dans la ville et dans la campagne, et les gens vinrent voir ce qui s’était passé. Ils arrivent auprès de Jésus, ils voient le possédé assis, habillé, et revenu à la raison, lui qui avait eu la légion de démons, et ils furent saisis de crainte. Ceux qui avaient vu tout cela leur racontèrent l’histoire du possédé et ce qui était arrivé aux porcs. Alors ils se mirent à supplier Jésus de quitter leur territoire. Comme Jésus remontait dans la barque, le possédé le suppliait de pouvoir être avec lui. Il n’y consentit pas, mais il lui dit : « Rentre à la maison, auprès des tiens, annonce-leur tout ce que le Seigneur a fait pour toi dans sa miséricorde. » Alors l’homme s’en alla, il se mit à proclamer dans la région de la Décapole ce que Jésus avait fait pour lui, et tout le monde était dans l’admiration.
Prière sur les offrandes
Pour te servir, Seigneur, nous déposons nos offrandes sur ton autel : accueille-les avec indulgence, pour qu’elles deviennent le sacrement de notre salut. Par Jésus.
Antienne de la communion : Ps 30, 17-18
Seigneur, que ton visage s’éclaire en faveur de tes fidèles. Sauve-nous dans ta bonté, ne déçois pas notre prière.
Prière après la communion
Nous avons été fortifiés, Seigneur, par le sacrement de notre Rédemption ; permets que cet aliment de salut éternel nous fasse progresser dans la vraie foi. Par Jésus.
Méditation
La rencontre de l’homme possédé avec Jésus peut sembler effrayante ; elle est au contraire, pour nous Chrétiens, une affirmation de l’autorité de notre Seigneur sur les puissances du mal. Bien qu’étant une légion de démons retenant l’homme en captivité, ils ont reconnu le pouvoir du Fils de Dieu. C’est fort de ce pouvoir et de cette autorité que cet homme est libéré et qu’un changement profond est visible dans sa vie car, il s’en alla proclamer les bienfaits du Seigneur en sa faveur. Toute cette scène est une illustration de la plénitude de vie à laquelle nous sommes appelés en tant qu’enfants de Dieu ; une vie sans esprits impurs et libre de toute captivité, une vie pour annoncer les merveilles du Seigneur.
